Police, DSS Impersonators Arrested in Abuja Over “One Chance” Robbery Scheme

Three individuals accused of impersonating police and Department of State Services (DSS) officers have been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for their involvement in a “one chance” robbery scheme. FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatunji Disu, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, revealing that the suspects were among a group recently apprehended for the crime.

According to Disu, the arrested individuals were part of a gang of “one chance” operators who specialize in pretending to be law enforcement officers in order to deceive and rob unsuspecting victims. “It will interest you to know that three of the suspects belong to a gang of ‘one chance’ operators who specialise in masquerading as police and DSS officers,” he said. “They pick up unsuspecting victims and take them to unknown locations, demanding ransom for their release.”

The arrests occurred on October 12, following complaints filed by two victims, Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, at the Anti-One Chance Office. The victims reported that while traveling from Keffi to Abuja, they were stopped by the suspects, who were in a white Toyota Camry with the registration number ABJ 221 BV. The suspects, who claimed to be DSS officers, forcibly removed the victims from the vehicle and drove them to an undisclosed location.

At this location, the suspects demanded that the victims contact their family members to raise money for their release. “The suspects transferred the sum of N400,000 from the victims’ accounts, using their phones,” Disu explained. Additionally, personal items, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, an iPhone 15 Pro, a Samsung S20, and a Samsung S8 Plus, were taken from the victims.

Upon receiving the complaint, the FCT Police quickly launched an investigation, tracking down and arresting the suspects. During the operation, police also recovered six vehicles believed to have been used in the gang’s operations, along with a locally made Beretta pistol.

In a related development, Disu revealed that on October 30, police received information about a suspected “one chance” operator’s vehicle being set on fire in Kubwa, an area on the outskirts of Abuja. “Police operatives quickly deployed to the scene met a group of people who claimed that a gang of ‘one chance’ operators, terrorising the Kubwa area, had been caught near the NYSC junction,” he said.

The vehicle was reportedly set ablaze, along with the suspected gang leader, while three other members fled into nearby bushes. A manhunt ensued, leading to the capture of the remaining gang members at their hideout in the Malaysia IDP Camp near the Apo mechanic village.

Disu stated that during interrogations, the suspects freely admitted to being part of a notorious “one chance” syndicate led by the individual whose vehicle was burned. “The suspects also confessed to impersonating personnel of various security agencies to defraud unsuspecting citizens,” he added.

The FCT Police Command continues to investigate the activities of the gang, with additional arrests expected.